GEOLOGY and LAPIDARY
Dept GE
1. The exhibit box should be 18” x 24” x 3½”. Plexiglas covers are required. Boxes with glass covers
WILL NOT be accepted. All specimens are to be arranged across the narrow (18”) dimension of the
exhibit box, making the exhibit 18” across the top and 24” deep exactly. If a box has a sliding
Plexiglas cover, it must be removable from the top. Screws, locks, or other devices that would
prevent judges from removing the cover should not be used. For Lapidary classes 5300-5304 only,
the dimensions of the box should be appropriate for the display, but should not exceed
18”x24”x31/2”.
2. Each exhibitor is required to identify each display box by placing an identification label bearing
name, county or district, and number of specimens in the upper left hand corner of the Plexiglas
cover (inside-use clear double sided tape to adhere gummed labels), and by attaching a label with the
same information on the lower right corner of the box (outside).
3. Exhibitor may enter in both geology and lapidary classes. Exhibitor may show in only one of the
first four geology classes (1360-1363).
4. Geology specimens should be labeled with the number of the specimen, date collected, specimen
name or description, and locality (county only) where collected.
5. For the geology classes 1360-1361, specimens should be mounted in the box by proper groups:
rocks, minerals, fossils. Fossils must be identified to the Phylum, Class and Genus level.
Genus name is to begin with a capital letter. Species name is all lower case. Genus and species names
must either be italicized or underlined, not both. The words “phylum, class, genus” on labels are to
be spelled out, not abbreviated. More than one specimen of the same kind of rock or mineral or
species of a fossil may be exhibited if this duplication represents different geological formations.
Specimen label must show this distinction (Fort Hays limestone, not just limestone; calcite from the
Greenhorn Formation, not just calcite; Phylum: Brachiopoda Class: Articulata Genus: Composita
from the Morrill Limestone Member, not just Phylum: Brachiopoda Class: Articulata Genus:
Composita).
6. For geology classes 1360-1363 and 1365 all specimens must be collected (not purchased) from
locations in Kansas, with the exception of Tri-State Mining Area specimens collected from these
three adjacent counties: Ottawa County, OK; Newton and Jasper Counties, MO. Other out of state
specimens will not count in the minimum number for the class, nor will they be considered in the
judging.
1360 Geology. Display at least 15 rocks, minerals, and fossils collected during the current 4-H year.
Exhibitor is limited to one exhibit box. Only those exhibiting at State Fair for the first time may enter
this class.
1361 Geology. Display at least 30 different rocks, minerals, or fossils, at least 5 of each. Fifteen
must be collected during the current 4-H year. Exhibitor is limited to one exhibit box. This class is
open to those exhibiting either first or second time at State Fair.
1362 Geology. Display at least 45 rocks, minerals, or fossils, at least 5 of each. Fifteen must be
collected during the current 4-H year. Exhibit limited to two boxes. This class is open to those
exhibiting either the third or fourth time at the State Fair. Identify the rocks as igneous, metamorphic
or sedimentary. These rock types must be spelled out on labels or have a legible key.
1363 Geology. Display at least 60 rocks, minerals, or fossils, at least 5 of each. Fifteen must be
collected during the current 4-H year. Exhibit limited to two boxes. This class is open to those
exhibiting the fifth time or more at the State Fair. Identify the rocks as
igneous, metamorphic or sedimentary. These rock types must be spelled out on labels or have a
legible key.
1364 Geology Educational Exhibit: Exhibit relating to everyday living; or to a mineral test, a rock
formation, geological history, species of a fossil, forms of one mineral, a variation of one kind of
rock, archaeological artifacts, or Indian artifacts. Digital formats are accepted. Please make
arrangements for the judge to view your exhibit and have a hard copy for display. Exhibit limited to 4
feet of table space. Care should be taken to use durable materials that will withstand Fair
conditions.
1365 Mineralogy. Display a minimum of 15 mineral specimens collected in Kansas, at least 5 of
which have been collected during the current 4-H year. The minerals are to be grouped by mineral
class (ie: Carbonates, Oxides, Silicates) and at least 3 classes must be represented. The member must
use one standard display box (see #1). The specimens must be labeled with the number of the
specimen, date collected, name of specimen, county where collected and chemical composition (ie:
CaCO3 for calcite) if known.
LAPIDARY CLASSES
The lapidary will be judged on the following criteria: Workmanship and Content 60 points
Presentation and Showmanship 30 points
Accuracy of Information 10 points
All lapidary specimens should be labeled with the following information:
- Specimen name
- Place of origin (country, state, or county; county required for Kansas specimens)
- Purchased or self-collected
- Date lapidary treatment began
- Date lapidary treatment completed (Treatment completed after the State Fair is considered a new
year specimen).
1370 Lapidary. Display at least 5 varieties of polished (tumbled) specimens and 5 varieties of
unpolished specimens that have not yet received lapidary treatment. These do not have to be an
example of “before and after”, nor do they have to be self-collected. Locales must be identified. Only
those exhibiting lapidary at the State Fair for the first time may exhibit in this class..
1371 Lapidary.Display before-and-after examples of at least 3 varieties of specimens, at least 2
tumble-polished and 2 unpolished of each. There is no requirement that the 4-H’er collect any of
these. Locales must be identified. Lapidary work should be done during the current 4-H year.
1372 Lapidary. Display before-and-after examples of at least 6 varieties of specimens, at least 2
tumble-polished and 2 unpolished of each. At least two varieties should be collected from the native
site by the 4-H’er, at least on of which comes from Kansas. Locales must be identified. Lapidary
work on at least three varieties should be done during the current 4-H year.
1373 Lapidary. Display before-and-after examples of at least 9 varieties of specimens, at least 2
tumble-polished and 2 unpolished of each. At least three varieties should be collected from the native
site by the 4-H’er, at least two of which comes from Kansas. Locales must be identified. Lapidary
work on at least three varieties should be done during the current 4-H year.
1374 Lapidary. Exhibit at least 6 specimens that have not previously been exhibited, which have
received lapidary treatment. Lapidary treatment may consist of polishing, and end, face, or flat
lapping. Specimens must represent at least 3 different varieties and include at least three cabochons
of any size or shape, only one of which may be free-formed. A cabochon is a style of cutting in
which the top of the stone forms a domed or curved convex surface. Three of the specimens must be
mounted into jewelry findings.
Grand Champion and Reserve Grand Champion Geology